Physical Scars

[The Albatross]

I also have a scar under my left eye, about an inch, and avoid the mirror. I'm pretty self conscious about it, have done what I can to minimize the scar but don't wear make up to cover it up anymore. There were others, but they eventually disappeared. I get uncomfortable at times but feel too, that it is kind of a "survivor" badge I wear. It defines my sense of self more than I would like it to, I've been told most people can't see it. I see it, plainly... and think I probably need to come into some self acceptance about this. Thank you for the topic.

 

[The Albatross]

I had scars from trauma and also from self inflicted harm (cutter as a teen)... it is the scar from trauma I still wear on my face.

 

[Ron]

Does anyone else have physical scars that remind them of their trauma? I have scars that I hadn't looked at for years and I finally have. It gets a little easier the more I see them, but they are on a personal area and it's extremely difficult to see them every day. How do you deal with having constant physical reminders of your trauma?

My right hand has a big bad scar on it (probably caused by the skin-graft). My hand was destroyed during the trauma. I will put a picture of it on my avatar soon.It took a total of 19 1/2 hours for the plastic surgeons to rebuild it. I was in hospital for 10 days. I am going to show and tell my hand for the first time in 18 years. Time to say good-bye to the AVOIDANCE,, this I am not taking to the grave.

 

[The Albatross]

Roger that Ron, I'm not taking this to the grave either.

 

[Ron]

I guess what's hard for me is the location of this particular one. I have other scars in other places, but only this one really bothers me. None of them are self-inflicted, so that may be a difference too. It's hard to know that such a private part of me has been made ugly by a psychotic knife-wielding jerk.

I hear you.

 

[Ron]

Yes. I have scars on my hand. They are actually very minimal considering the severity of what occurred. This is in part because I worked with an excellent PT/OT who specialized in hands, and was very big on wound and scar management. The other part is because I made sure to take really good care of my hand, following all her instructions as well as the doctor's. I see these scars now and that's what it reminds me of...that something really bad happened, but that I took good care of myself, and sought out others to help me do so, and it paid off. :)

(I was not always this positive about them, though...I have my therapist to thank for that!)

What happened?

 

[The Albatross]

Allitherapy, it helps me to not define my self by the presence of the scar and to view it as a reminder that I survived. It also gives me a sense of distance from the event... mine has changed over the years a lot. And so have I.

 

[ronin47]

Allitherapy, it helps me to not define my self by the presence of the scar and to view it as a reminder that I survived. It also gives me a sense of distance from the event... mine has changed over the years a lot. And so have I.

Amen to that. I have come to view my scars as being no more than a part of my body. They no more define me as a person than my feet or my fingers. If they symbolize anything it would be what I don't want to go back to.

 

[Mina]

What happened?

I was bitten by an Akita almost as big as me.

 

[Ron]

I was bitten by an Akita almost as big as me.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[just me here]

My scars are big and numerous, but easily hidden under a t shirt. Car and motorcycle accidents, and the emergency surgeries they required. I swim in a t shirt, I never go out in public without at least a tshirt, no one sees me any other way. I had one guy at a pool ask me where I served, he was sure I had been shot or shrapnelled.

The scars are a daily reminder of how vulnerable our bodies are, especially when we do battle with cars and trees and guardrails. We lose. I lost. One of my extreme triggers is drunk driving. I carry that anger under a thin layer, it is right there and I will let it out if it will serve a purpose. I have been known to throw keys onto rooftops and remove ignition wiring when it might save a life. Or help someone avoid getting scarred for life.